Oh! I just noticed you have a rescue site. COOL. I'm so grateful to have found you! It does seem like sibling rivalry. I'm sure it isn't a good thing, but the gal I rescued them from had the other two from the same clutch, and they just had babies a week and a half ago. Can't be right. Maybe I should be happy it didn't work out that way with these two. I certainly don't want to breed lovebirds, but MOST certainly didn't want to breed siblings, is that bad, like with dogs? (sorry for the <probably> stupid question) I started out just wanting to help the birds, because her kid is mean to them, and they were all in the same cage, and fighting, & I don't know that much about them, but I'm afraid I've become pretty attached to the little guys...er, girls. I bet you have your hands SUPER FULL with all those birds! I assume they lay eggs? What do you do with the babies? Or...do you switch out the eggs or what? I'd love to offer that gal some advice on not letting those other two siblings breed anymore...they are completely attached to each other, she put them in seperate cages when I was there, and they were crying for each other. It was sad.

Anyway, I admire you & what you do very much, and thanks again so much for your help is easing my worries. I'd love to read your article if you come across it.

She let siblings breed what the heck is wrong with this lady,why would she let siblings breed??? That is not good,those babies may end up with health problems poor gene's etc..
as far as these guys here,I do not allow eggs to hatch,I switch out the eggs or I shake the eggs the day they are laid,no it does not kill a baby doing that,the day they are laid its nothing,so if you shake them they will not become fertile.Please try to educate this lady about breeding,and the problems she is creating for those innocent birds by breeding siblings.

Yeah, that's what I thought. So...shake the eggs the day they are laid? Then, put them back? I guess it's okay to let them be together since they are bonded or whatever? I would say it's better to do that than have babies with problems. Leads me to wonder what I've got here with these two, ya know? She doesn't know a thing about lovebirds either, and the gal she got them from asked her when they were babies to take them and handfeed them because she didn't have time. (???) Back then, I took two featherless babies to help her feed them, she showed me how to feed them, I became emotionally attached, then when they were weaned, my friend took them back. But, the lady she got them from had a bunch of lovebirds, and a month later, told my friend that her turtle ate one because it fell in the tank, and the others were let go free outside by her step-kids. I am HORRIFIED. (part of the reason I took these two).

I have rescued all kinds of animals, and I always feel the same way - it's bittersweet, I never want people to think that it's ok to treat animals the way they do, by me taking them, I'm an enabler, and by not taking them, the animals are in danger. It's such a tough call. But, if I can make these little guys happy to be here, and be healthy and get the things they need and want - that's the whole idea, right? These two lovebirds are darling, and rambunctious (sp). They bite, and they don't trust us completely yet, but when they are out, they love to climb all over my daughter, and when they are in their cage, one their favorite things to do is tease one of my dogs who hates them. Keeps them all occupied for a while each afternoon. Well, enough of my horror story though. Sorry, I rambled.

I am going to call the gal today, and talk to her about this whole thing. I know she doesn't have time to hand feed the babies either, what the heck is she going to do with them? If she doesn't, no one will want them. I'm envisioning the future...with three baby lovebirds on my counter, being fed all day. I don't know what to do about that.

Thank you SOO much for your help!!! I hope I can in turn help her to understand how bad the situation is, so she can stop this before it gets worse.

"chance" - I forgot to ask you, how do your lovebirds sleep? Do they have nests?

All you can do is try to educate,and hope they take your advice!

My guys all have happy huts snuggle bums etc.. some choose to sleep in them and others choose to just sleep on their perches curled up.

CUTE! I assume you are talking about the little cloth things at the pet supply stores? I'm going out today, and will look for them. I took the bandanas out of the cage, and they are mad at me. If I end up putting them in seperate cages, do you think it's cool to put them right next to each other, so they can sort of hang out together? I also realized this morning, that my mom (who lives in the upper part of our home) has been starting her laundry at 6 am some mornings, and that it's right above where they sleep, and I have a hamster in the kitchen who is up all night. Do you believe that they could be cranky because they are not getting enough shut eye?

yes keep the cages next to each other.
What time do you put them to bed? they should get atleast a good 10 hours of sleep.

Well, it used to be 9. Then I switched it to 8, because they were getting woke up too early with us all running around in the am. So, we would put them in the laundry room, cover them with a sheet, put a little night light on, and lift one corner so they don't get scared, then shut the door. HAHA Neurotic? It sure sounds that way when I type it on the screen. Even though we had the tv on, they went right to sleep. But - all the things going on with the hamster, and then my mom doing laundry in the am, I bet they get woke up a lot during the night. Because we have to open the laundry room door when we go to bed, because it will get too cold in there with the door shut. It's adjacent to the kitchen, which is where my lame pigeon and the hamster live. The pigeon is super quiet and peaceful, but the hamster is nocturnal... What do you think?

Do you have the birds in the laundry room when laundry is being done? If so move them out of there for two reasons, One lack of sleep two dryers give off carbon dioxide which can kill the birds.
I would try covering them completly so that the light is not shining in,and they can get more sleep.

No, not while laundry is being done, only at night (bedtime). But THANK YOU for the tip - I never would have thought about that with the dryer. There is another laundry room above that one, that she does laundry in, and it's just noisy.

I thought that they needed a night light so they wouldnt' be scared of the dark. hehe...Oh, wait - that's me that's scared of the dark. Ok. I was looking at your website earlier - WOW you have a lot of rescues! I LOVE that! I wish I could help and try to adopt one...but I live in UTAH. (yes, UTAH - don't laugh) Well, I am going to make all necessary adjustments today, and see if I can't get it right for them. I took out the bandana this morning, and they are being SO naughty. They have un-attached the food bowls and dumped them on the floor twice so far. Never did that before. Silly.

I will have to think of a better place for them to sleep than the laundry room I suppose. Thanks again so much - It's been GREAT to chat with you, you are so helpful, I feel better knowing more now. Stupid, but better. hehehe. Take care - Jodee